What We Want to Say

March 6, 2013

Hi, you lovely, big-hearted Readers,

I was Gobsmacked at the volume of personal emails I recieved from you, telling me how much Judy Blume has meant to you, and how pivotal she has been to your (and so many of our) growing-up years. So often she’s been a steady, reassuring voice whispering in the dark.

A friend of mine, Kim and I were talking yesterday about Judy Blume, and we thought it would be so interesting and beautiful to hear the stories/memories/humorous anecdotes about Judy’s work and what it meant to you, as a young woman, navigating that twisting and hard road between girl and womanhood.

Also rich territory for exploration: what does Judy’s work mean to you now that you are a parent yourself? What truths still resonate for you?

Our ultimate goal is to compile an anthology in her honor, full of colorful, vibrant voices. A book chock-full of writing by women (or men!) who have heartfelt and honest things to say. #JudyBlumeProject

I would love to submit something! I lead a 4th grade girls book club for my daughter and friends and this month we’re reading “Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret.” It’s been so cool to share Judy with my own girl!

What a great idea! I must have read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Superfudge a hundred times from second to fourth grade. I was such a book nerd, I almost never bent a spine or creased a cover, except for the books that were read over and over. Most of Judy’s books fell into that category for me. I read them all, and I’ve gotten to experience her newer ones with my oldest daughter in the past few years, too. I can’t wait to read your collection!

When I was diagnosed with scoliosis in seventh grade, DEENIE got me through it. I spent three years in a brace and kept hoping I would get to live the “getting feeled up while wearing a brace” scene as I had prepared myself mentally for it. Never happened.

I would also like to mention ARE YOU THERE GOD, IT’S ME MARGARET made me wish my family were Jewish. Also didn’t happen, but since reading ARTGIMM I felt a kinship with Jews. It’s a beautiful thing for children to draw close to another culture through a book.